QPC Course Focuses On Media's Role And State Protocol

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Qatar Press Centre (QPC) has concluded a course on "The Role of the Media in Promoting the Message of State Protocol", presented by Dr Omar Ghanem.
The course, which was attended by 20 participants, representing ministries and state institutions, addressed the role of the media in strengthening international relations and countering misleading and false news that seeks to undermine these relations.
Dr Ghanem noted that the course served as a forum for communication with various segments of society.
“The course was attended by workers in both the public and private sectors, as well as media professionals and journalists,” he said.“Therefore, the academic material took into account the professional diversity of the participants, with the aim of informing them of the practices of state protocol, as a large part of this area is not clear to public opinion.”
“The course focused on the role of the media in promoting the message of state protocol, as it is the authority that can defend national interests with high professional values and raise community awareness in the face of foreign media misinformation campaigns,” Dr Ghanem said.
He discussed the definition of protocol, noting that some non-practitioners have contributed to misinterpreting protocol and etiquette.
Dr Ghanem concluded that protocol is the rules of the state, while etiquette is the rules of society.
Protocol is defined by guidelines, while etiquette is defined by polite behaviour or courteous conduct.
Therefore, he said, etiquette requires protocol guidelines to ensure it is on the right track.
He addressed the course's topics, saying: "The course covered four topics, the most important of which was the foundation of protocol from a historical, ethical, and civilizational perspective.”
“Some of the confusion surrounding the origin of the rules that contributed to shaping the guidelines discussed by members of societies in this field was resolved,” he added.
Dr Ghanem also focused on the Eastern origin of protocol and how Islam contributed to strengthening this image, drawing on what is stated in the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's biography, as well as the results of the righteous predecessors in shaping the message of state protocol.
Many of the methodologies used in Western presidential palaces are now protocols derived from the East.
The second topic addressed Qatari state protocol and its basic components, and how its five pillars work: the flag, the national anthem, the state emblem, the emir's images, and the state's precedents system.
These components, Dr Ghanem stressed, must be familiarised with by specialists and others, so that they have sufficient knowledge of how to deal with them.
The third topic addressed how the media contributes to supporting state protocol and confronting foreign media disinformation campaigns, which confuse public opinion and misinterpret certain actions to undermine community morale.
Positively, Dr Ghanem said, media contribution in support of state protocol reinforces the message of welcoming guests, especially during state visits where the media is a key pillar.
The fourth section addressed skills related to handshaking, appearance, and proper behaviour, with a focus on what is unique to Qatari society, such as majlis hospitality.
At the end of the course, the trainees called for an advanced training course in state protocol to gain a deeper understanding of diplomatic dealings and the mechanisms and rules of effective diplomatic communication.

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